You must visit the Forest Discovery Centre and the Botanical Art Gallery for a complete tour of Singapore’s Botanic Garden Gallop Extension.
I find the best time to explore the galleries is in the late morning after a round of intensive playground work at the nearby Como Adventure Grove. Because these galleries are the best places to escape the unforgiving scorching mid-day sun, each spot is just 5 minutes away from the other.
But before taking your time to wander through the two galleries leisurely, fill your tummy at Bee’s Knees Petite while surrounding yourself with a magnificent treetop view of the Gallop Extension.
The Gallop Extension was once zoned for residential and other uses. But the government subsequently found the importance of conserving the natural and cultural heritage of the area, which contains colonial houses and remnants of a swamp forest.
Forest Discovery Centre In Botanic Garden Gallop Extension
The Forest Discovery Centre is located inside 5 Gallop Road, first named Atbara. It is Singapore’s oldest surviving colonial-era black-and-white bungalow, built in 1898. The property was first owned by John Burkinshaw, a long-standing law firm founding partner in Singapore. Over the years, it had changed many hands and had even once housed the French embassy.
The centre aims to showcase Singapore’s forest ecosystems and explains the importance of conserving them.
Here is where the gallery showcases the Freshwater Swamp Forests, Coastal and Mangrove Forests, and Tropical Rainforests.
We love the couple of interactive stations where the kids get to learn how animals in the same group can sound differently.
In the picture, the little one learned to differentiate the croaking voices of the Black-eyed Litter Frog, Crab-eating Frog and the Malayan Horned Frog. The girls lingered around these tables for a while as they seemed to find these animal noises intriguing.
Botanical Art Gallery
The Botanical Art Gallery, or 7 Gallop Road, is located beside the Forest Discovery Centre. Originally named Inverturret, the building was constructed four years after 5 Gallop Road. Charles MacArthur, the Chairman of the Straits Trading Company, was the first owner. When the French Embassy took over the next-door neighbour, 5 Gallop Road, Inverturret became the French ambassador’s residence.
The Natural History Art Gallery at 7 Gallop Road houses more than 2,000 botanical illustrations and hundreds of sketches, line drawings, and photographs.
The gallery rotates its art pieces regularly, and the latest rotation I heard is ongoing now.
The girls spent most of their time at the table experimenting with botanical drawings while I leisurely explored every corner of the colonial house.
I love the dreamy corridors here. I don’t mind repeated visits to the Botanical Art Gallery to immerse myself in the romantic old world. It will be fantastic to bring a flask of coffee and a magazine. I hope to sit comfortably on one of the wooden lounge chairs to enjoy reading. But I am unsure if the gallery staff will allow me to do so.
Como Adventure Grove
Haven’t you been to the nature playground yet? Check out my 360-degree IG video for a full view of the wonderland.
Bee’s Knees Petite
It is easy to find Bee’s Knees Petite because the staircase from the playground will lead you straight to the eating place.
When your kids are super tired and hungry from a morning of playground work, you don’t want to venture else to look for food. With the convenience that comes with a great view, why not?
Remember to Bring Along the following:
Some informative videos from Npark to share here.
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Como Adventure Grove Playground
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